STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1705

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 329

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 329, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SCHOOL FACILITIES AUTHORITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the responsibilities of the School Facilities Authority.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Specifies that the School Facilities Authority is responsible for projects related to:

(A) Certain facilities for prekindergarten, preschool, child care, and early learning programs;

(B) Workforce housing, under certain conditions; and

(C) Any public school development, planning, or construction assigned by the Legislature, Governor, or Board of Education; and

(2) Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to partner with public and private development agencies to develop prekindergarten facilities.

Your Committees received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii School Facilities Authority, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Autism Moms of Kona, and three individuals.

Your Committees received written comments on this measure from the Attorney General and Department of Education.

Your Committees find that clarifying the responsibilities of the School Facilities Authority will help ensure the effective implementation of projects to benefit students, educators, and other stakeholders in the State's public schools.

Your Committees have amended this measure by clarifying that the School Facility Authority is also responsible for construction projects on other state or county property, as authorized by the Legislature.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 329, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 329, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair